Running head: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES AND THEIR ETHICAL USE IN WARFARE 1

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and

Their Ethical Use in Warfare
Chris Reddig
Waxahachie Global High School
Engineering Design and Development

2

Abstract
In a world of war and conflict, imagine the ability to reach out from thousands of
miles away and deliver a bomb into an area around the size of a football, with minimal
causalities and no boots on the ground. The development and deployment of unmanned
aerial vehicles and other unmanned systems into the theater of war has taken soldiers
out of harms way and is increasing the United States militarys superiority. Many worry
that these unmanned systems are too risky and invade our privacy, the truth behind this
technology is that UAVs are safe and necessary to protect our freedoms. These
systems are never left to operate on their own; someones hand is always on the
controls. In the future, we can look forward to the deployment of unmanned systems in
all theaters of war and replacing lives with technology. Casualties of war will be reduced
and our superiority will be increased to match all threats worldwide. The country can
rest at ease knowing that the government isnt using these drones to spy on their own
citizens and they will never be completely free of human interaction. The chain of
command and different measures ensure that all systems like this are safely used on
the battlefield and back home.


3

Table of Contents
Abstract 2
List of Tables and Figures.... 4
Summary. 4
Introduction. 5
Conclusion.. 7
References. 8

4

List of Tables and Figures
Figure 1.1 7

Summary
This paper details the argument behind the ethical use of unmanned aerial vehicles on
the front lines of warfare across the globe. Paranoia and fear bring negative opposition
towards the use of drones and in reality much of this opposition is caused by
misrepresentation. UAVs are a reliable and safe system to operate worldwide and
perform essential tasks to ensure the safety of our citizens. UAVs are another way
technology is taking the soldier out of harms way and increasing the superiority of our
military and global safety.








5

INTRODUCTION
Imagine the ability to reach out from thousands of miles away and deliver a bomb
into an area around the size of a football, with minimal causalities and no boots on the
ground. A satellite relays live video of a whole battlefield and unmanned systems fight a
war while we keep soldiers out of harms way. This dream has become a reality with the
development and deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles and other unmanned
systems into the theater of war. The amount of ground work required to fight a war has
been significantly reduced. More precise attacks can be delivered and from high altitude
to provide stealth and the element of surprise. We can monitor disasters and navigate
ground personnel by providing real time intelligence without putting a soldier into the
battlefield in harms way.
FEARS
The mass populous of America fears unmanned aerial systems, often referred to
as drones or UAVs. In recent studies, many Americans fear that these drones are left to
operate as they please and can kill anyone. This fear is exaggerated though the power
of the internet and technology, misleading news is reported and is misconstrued to
create a negative atmosphere for drone warfare. Blogs post pictures of mass graves
that are the result of supposed drone strikes, and people talk about drones like they kill
thousands per day. These misrepresentations have led to a mass fear of UAVs.


6

REALITY
The truth behind this technology is that UAVs are safe and necessary to protect
our freedoms. These systems are never left to operate on their own; someones hand is
always on the controls. At USAF bases across the US, pilots report every day to fly
drones across the world. Strategic attacks are organized and intelligence is gathered
before any attack is carried out. The chain of command comes into play with every
move that pilots make. On the battlefield, soldiers have to abide by the Rules of
Engagement, the same rules apply for unmanned systems, but these systems have the
advantage of providing support that ground troops cannot. The reality of drones is that
they arent watching your every move and shooting American citizens on their own soil.
Drone attacks are limited to war zones outside of US soil and follow strict guidelines.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
As shown in figure 1.1, deployment of unmanned systems is a goal for the
military to improve its strength. The human soldier is becoming a thing of the past, but
the demand for engineers and pilots of these systems is becoming a growing demand.
Companies such as Boeing are developing unmanned systems for all applications, not
just airborne. In the future, we can look forward to the deployment of unmanned
systems in all theaters of war and replacing lives with technology. Casualties of war will
be reduced and our superiority will be increased to match all threats worldwide.

7



Figure 1.1
CONCLUSION
The ability to reach out and deliver a strategic blow to an enemy is a priceless
tool in warfare and saves lives every day. These systems are safe, reliable and are
proven to be effective on the battlefield. The lives of Americans are impacted every day
by the operations of these systems. The country can rest at ease knowing that the
government isnt using these drones to spy on their own citizens and they will never be
completely free of human interaction. The chain of command and different measures
ensure that all systems like this are safely used on the battlefield and back home.
8

References

Amoureux, J. L. (2013, April 1). The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved January 20, 2014, from
Are US Drones Ethical?: http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2013/0401/Are-US-
drones-ethical
Shane, S. (2012, July 12). The New York Times Sunday Review. Retrieved January 20, 2014, from
The Moral Case for Drones: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/15/sunday-review/the-moral-
case-for-drones.html?_r=0
Smith, A., & Schwappach, A. (2008, December 8). The ethics of unmanned vehicle warfare.
(Medill News Service) Retrieved January 20, 2014, from UPI:
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2011/12/08/The-ethics-of-unmanned-vehicle-
warfare/UPI-26071323344040/